PNG Country Profile

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is Australia’s nearest neighbour, separated by just five kilometres across the Torres Strait. Politically independent since 1975, PNG is one of the most diverse countries in the world – geographically, biologically, culturally and linguistically (over 800 Indigenous languages!). It lies just south of the equator and shares its western border with Indonesia.

PNG is home to over seven million people spread over the mainland and 600 islands comprising a total area of 463,000 square kilometres. Over 85% of people live in wild and rugged rural areas. Many communities are extremely isolated and not accessible by road.

Outside of the few major cities, people depend on subsistence-based farming for their livelihood. Overall, 60% of the population lack access to clean water and 55% lack access to sanitation. Only 10% of people have a telephone and less than 2% the internet.

PNG is rich in natural resources and much of the economy is founded on primary resource extraction, production and processing. However, this hasn’t yet led to economic prosperity for the majority of its people. New mining and petroleum projects have the potential for development and wealth, but have also caused social upheaval and environmental damage.

PNG’s relative level of poverty in relation to neighbouring countries is increasing and it now ranks 156th out of 177 countries on the United Nations Development Program Human Development Index.

ADI works in New Ireland Province (located off the mainland in the far north-east) and in Western Province (which is the largest province in PNG).

Facts & figures

Region: Oceania-Melanesia

Currency: Kina (PGK)

Surface area (square kilometres): 462,840

Population: 7,170,000 (World Bank)

Population density in (per square kilometre): 14.2 (2008)

GDP: Gross domestic product (million current US$) 8007

GDP per capita (current US$): 1217.5

GNI: Gross national income per capita (current US$) 988.7

Tourist arrivals at national borders: 114,000 (2008)

Telephone subscribers: 10% (2008)

Internet users: 1.8% (2008)

Major trading partners (% of imports) in 2004: Australia (58.7), United States (7.6), Singapore (7.2)

ADI Doctor Stories

Testimonial

“I find it startling that although we can literally swim between our two countries, health and wellbeing between the two is in such stark contrast. PNG is Australia’s nearest neighbour, ..we have a duty to help PNG to improve its own health services.”Dr Melanie Olding

Fresh from facebook

Ever wondered how you might manage your diabetes while travelling in a remote area? Jennifer Mckellar of Australian Doctors International, who lives with type 1 diabetes, shares her experience being stationed as an aid worker in Papua New Guinea 😮 bit.ly/PNG_Diabetes